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First and always foremost, rest in peace, George Floyd. May justice for him and for all Black people be swift and unyielding.

Second and less significantly, this is a piece that reflects my experience. It is not, however, a commentary on Black lives, on George Floyds murder or on the systemic oppression that Black individuals must confront each and every day. It is clear to me, and should be clear to all, that those of us who are not Black should not impose our opinions and perspectives on Black issues, Black oppression and the lived experiences of Black people. We need to amplify those marginalized voices and, for once, shut up and listen.

Our two cents are worth nothing when it is not pennies that Black men and women seek; it is freedom.

Now that weve established those realities, there is a real injustice that I felt obliged to speak on. As the key events within the George Floyd murder continued to be revealed, it was reported that the store that Floyd attempted to use a counterfeit bill at was owned and operated by an Arab man, Mahmoud (Mike) Abumayyaleh. As rumors swirled surrounding Abumayyalehs role in the arrival of the police, many Arab-American journalists began calling out not only Abumayyaleh for engaging with the police, but more broadly the realities of racism among the Arab peoplemy people.

It was later revealed that Abumayyaleh was not the one who called the police, but rather one of his employees did. A spokesman for Abumayyaleh emphasized that store protocol mandates employees call the police when counterfeit bills are used. However, it is impossible to excuse his employees behavior as mere obedience. How could he not have understood the tragic realities of calling the police on a Black man in America, that exposing an individual to a life-threatening situation over 20 fake dollars is not just an unfair tradeits deadly.

Abumayyaleh has since spoken out in grief over the murder, explaining that his employees were following protocol and justifiably blaming the four policemen who committed the murder. The store owner made his remorse clear: By simply following procedure we are putting our communities in dangerwe must stand together to fight institutional racism.

Perhaps Abumayyaleh has known of the risks of law enforcement and systemic racism for a long time, or perhaps he discovered this when his employees called him crying, helpless as those murderers in blue slowly sucked the air out of George Floyds windpipe. At some point, Abumayyaleh realized that following state-authorized instructions to police a Black man within a system founded upon shackled and chained Black bodies is not just a bad ideaits deadly.

Conversations surrounding Abumayyaleh extended beyond his shop and began to address some of the ugly racial realities of the Arab world. Many Arabs are anti-Black. Institutionalized racism in the Middle East does not look like its American counterpart, but it exists. This division is ingrained into Arab culture and is one that has seeped into the Arab people.

I did not see this oppression within my own culture for the longest time, though often it existed right in front me. My privilege as a Arab man allowed me to ignore the realities of racial injustice in my own backyard. However, in the fight for Black freedom, I cannot confront American racial injustice while continuing to ignore the grim racist realities of my own home. The fight must start from within.

We are the children of a generation whose name for Black peopleabdliterally means slave. We are the consequences of a government that built the Kafala system, which leaves the legal status of migrant workers in the hands of their employer.

Many white-passing Arabs are conscious of their own racial prejudice toward their darker-skinned counterparts. Theres a reason that the Sudanese revolution of 2018 was, for many Sudanese protesters, an African revolution. Being marginalized for their skin color for decades left those same Sudanese people frustrated at the state of their Arab identity. Sudanese people, in large part due to the color of their skin, have been often pushed aside in the conversation of Arabhood, and treated as second-class citizens among those who even choose to acknowledge the African country at all. So for those Sudanese people who fled their revolting country in search of monetary freedom elsewhere in the Middle East, they were instead met with racial slurs and an economic system that essentially enslaved them.

The outcome then, tragically, for those Black individuals who entered the Middle East was not so different from the stories of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd.

Alem Dechesa fled her native Ethiopia to my home country, Lebanon, in search of work as a maid. What she found was not a financial haven, but a hellish reality. Severely beaten, verbally berated and consistently abused for months, Dechesa took her own life. For many Ethiopians, Dechesas suicide was not a surprise. It was the culmination of the tragic realities that they face everydayas was Floyds murder for many Black people.

These are the racial intersections that are still ignored and that still need to be faced by those who so easily turn the other cheek. We have a responsibility as people of minority groups to support the battle for justice. Arabs experience our ownvery differentset of injustices and discriminations within the United States. Yet when we stand, fists raised, without addressing the racism within our own backgrounds, the validity of our support is compromised.

This is not an easy reality to swallow. Accepting that youve stood idle as institutionalized racism decimated Black bodies around you is difficult to accept. Furthermore, coming to terms with your own racialized and prejudiced roots while simultaneously opposing racism outside your home is perhaps an even more difficult epiphany to have. But if justice is your goal, it is necessary. If we intend to uphold the truth behind our protests, our chants, our actions, then we must bring that energy to fight the systems of racism that exist in our homes, and help elevate the Black bodies who suffered on our soil for so long.

An acknowledgement of not only our privilege but our role in the systemic racism in our own homes is perhaps the most necessary personal action a minority protestor can take. Understanding how racism has benefited you and how it has forced you quiet is the first and most significant step in undoing that silence and freeing our Black brothers and sisters.

We are not for change until we return to the places that raised us, and raise that same clenched fist to those roots that remain corrupted and rotten.

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Reflecting on our roots: on Arabs, racism and ignorance - Miscellany News

Pepper spray as a weapon: Why police use the 'riot-control agent' at protests

Pepper spray has been used a lot recently due to the protests involving the death of George Floyd. So what is it and is it deadly?

USA TODAY

As crowds gather across the country to protest the death of George Floyd, authorities meet them with tear gas and pepper spray in attempt to prevent moreviolence.

While some protests have ended peacefully, others in cities like Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and St. Louis have beenconfronted with a line of police in riot gearfiring tear gas and projectiles into crowds protesting the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis.

In some incidents, members of the news media appeared to betargeted, by police and protesters alike. On Saturday night,Branden Hunter, a reporter for the Detroit Free Press, went to an emergency room in Detroit after police administered tear gas during a protest.

It's not the first time these "riot agents"were used by authorities to disperse crowds of protesters and it certainly wont bethe last. If youre planning to join one of these protests, heres what you need to know to protect yourself against tear gas and pepper spray.

Viral photos:A photo page of striking moments from the weeks protests.

Pepper spray is a lachrymatory agent, which means it stimulates the eyes to produce tears.

The main active ingredient in pepper spray is an oil known as oleoresin capsicum, the same agent that provides heat in chili peppers, according to Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician in New York City.

Pepper spray is typically dispersed into the air as an aerosol or as small particles in a liquid spray, according tothe National Capital Poison Center. Pepper sprays and mists can travel 8 to 12 feet, saidSabre, a popular brand of pepper spray. Gel sprays can travel 20% farther.

The chemical irritant can cause a feeling of bubbling or boiling in your eyes, temporary blindness and eye pain. The effects can last 30 to 45 minutes. Glatter said symptoms also may includeburning in the throat, wheezing, dry cough, gagging and difficulty speaking.

People who inhale pepper spray may develop a sudden elevation of blood pressure, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack, he said. Those with asthma also maybe at higher risk for complications.

Skin exposure can cause pain, redness, swelling and itching, according to the National Capital Poison Center.

Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, medical director at National Capital Poison Center, said that even though pepper spray is technically a natural agent, it can still cause great harm, especially to those with underlying conditions.

"Some people interpret natural as safe, and thats definitely not true," she said.

Johnson-Arbor urgedprotesters who experience the effects of pepper spray for more than an hour to seek medical care.

Glatter saidthe most important thing to remember is not to rub your eyes if you get sprayed because it will spread the compound deeper into the eye.

Immediately blinking allows tears to help flush away some of the oils contained in the pepper spray. He recommendedusing baby shampoo or diluted dish-washing soap with water to remove them.

While many people are seen on television pouring milk on their face after being pepper-sprayed during protests, Glatter said that only helps reduce the burning sensation but doesn't remove any of the oil.

Johnson-Arbor said there is no scientific evidence to prove baby shampoo works against pepper spray. A 2018 study found no difference between baby shampoo or plain water.

"Water overall is the best treatment that people can use," she said.

But a simple8-ouncebottle of water won't do.Johnson-Arbor advised people beprepared with lots of water if they expect authorities to disperse riot agents during a protest.

Tear gas isnt technically a gas, Glatter said. Its a powder that is heated and mixed with a liquid or solvent and released from canisters as an aerosol.

There are different types of tear gas. The two commonly used by law enforcement are 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) and chloroacetophenone (CN).

Glattersaid tear gas should be considered a nerve agent in that it doesnt just irritate cells, but it also activates specific pain receptors leading to intense and burning pain on all affected areas. It can cause pain and burning in the eyes, mucous membranes, throat, lungs and skin.

Along with pain and tear production, tear gas also causes exaggerated muscle cramping in the eye and sensitivity to light that leads to eye closure, Glatter said.

Tear gas can affect every part of the body. People can experience burning in the nose, nasal mucosal swellingand a running nose. Other effects include difficulty swallowing, drooling and severe burning inside the mouth and on the tongue.

People with asthma or chronic inflammatory lung disease (COPD) are most at risk for severe complications as a result of tear gas. Glatter said tear gas can cause an asthma attack or dangerous swelling in the upper airway that could lead to asphyxiation and even death.

"If you dont experience such devastating airway or respiratory effects, your skin feels like its on fire, he said.

Actual burns and blisters could form as a result. Ingestion of tear gas through the mouth can also lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

You get it not a pretty picture, Glatter said.

Johnson-Arbor strongly urges people not to pick up tear gas canisters. She hasseen reports ofprotesters throwing them back at authorities, a practice that canbe dangerous.

Tear gas canisters can detonate, exposing protesters to propellants, solvents and explosives. Johnson-Arbor noted reports of brain injuries in previous years as a result of exploding tear gas canisters.

If the canisters are about to explode, they can also be very hot and cause burn injuries if picked up.

"If a canister lands nearby, then get out of the way," she said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionrecommends immediately leavingthe area and getting tofresh air quickly if exposed to tear gasor similarriot control agents.

If the tear gas was released outdoors, the agency advisesseekingthe highest ground possible as the dense vapor cloud travelsclose to the ground. If exposed indoors, people should leave the building as soon as possible.

The CDC says people should quickly take off any clothing that may have tear gas on it. If clothing needs to be pulled over the head, like a shirt or sweater, Glatter said it must be cut off to limitexposure to the eyes or mouth.

People should place all removed clothes in a plastic bag and wash any tear gas from skin as quickly as possible with soap and water. They should not use soap for the eyes. For burning eyes or blurred vision, the CDC recommends risingeyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Glatter said contact lenses should be removed with clean gloves and glasses should be washed with soap and water. Glasses can be used again, but the CDC advises against reusing the contacts, even if theyre not disposable.

While theres no approved antidote for tear gas, Glatter said theres a few home remedies that could help ease the effects after exposure. He said some people use lemon juice or antacids such as Maalox water.

That said, water remains the most available and effective solvent for irrigation in the setting of any type of ocular burn, he said.

Experts saylow level agents such as pepper spray and tear gas dont usually result in permanent or long-lasting health effects, but exposure to higher concentrations can be more harmful.

Glatter said significant damage to the corneal epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea, could lead to visual impairment. Other complications include laryngospasm, a spasm of the vocal cords, or pulmonary edema, fluid in the lungs, in people with a history of lung disease.

Cases of prolonged exposure could result in first- and second-degree burns and blistering. The CDC recommendedtreating with standard burn management techniques including use of medicated bandages.

Glatter said children as well as those with chronic lung disease, hypersensitivity syndromes and older people with heart and kidney disease are more at risk for severe outcomes of pepper spray or tear gas.

Johnson-Arbor urgedprotesters to be prepared if they anticipate authorities to disperse tear gas or use pepper spray.

They should dress in long sleeves and pants so the agents can't come in contact with skin. They should not wear contact lenses to protests, becausetear gas or pepper sprayparticles can get stuck between the eye and lens and cause damage.

She suggested protesters wear some protective gear such as goggles. While many protesters are seen with cloth masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus, Johnson-Arbor said they won't do much against tear gas or pepper spray.

While they provide some protection, cloth masks have varying degrees of filtration, aren't tight-fittingand not medical grade. There are no studies of how pepper spray or tear gas penetrates cloth masks, and most masks are open on either side.

"Overall, the masks may provide some protection but it won't be enough to avoid exposure overall," Johnson-Arbor said.

Lastly, she advisedpeople to arm themselves with enough waterto thoroughly irrigate their eyes if exposed to pepper spray or tear gas.

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Protesters should know how to protect themselves from tear gas, pepper spray - USA TODAY

Eli Harold, Colin Kaepernick, and Eric Reid of the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest during the anthem in October, 2016 in New York. (Michael Zagaris / San Francisco 49ers / Getty)

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The question often asked is What happened? What happened to the kneeling protests against racist police violence that were staged during the national anthem by Colin Kaepernick and so many others? What happened to black athletes centering themselves as critical voices of dissent? Were they stifled by Trump? Have they been silenced by the fear that they could be Kaepernicked and denied a right to make a living?Ad Policy

Everyone has theories on the state of athletic political consciousness, but my answer has always been the same: This country is a pressure cooker of racist police violence, and it would just take one incident, probably caught on tape, to see athletes speaking out once again. In other words, the question of whether athletes would make themselves heard would be determined by the police. If they continued with their racist, violent ways, there would be a reaction.

We are seeing one right now following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Its not taking a knee, in the time of a pandemic that has canceled games, but silence for many is clearly not an option. Athletes have taken to social media to express their rage, and even some of the typical bigoted scolds on the sports media landscape have remained mum, at least as of this writing. This eruption of athletic anger matters, because these athletes have massive followings of white fans who will now have to reckon with Floyds murder. These athletes are puncturing the bubble that white people have the luxury of living in: a bubble in which they do not feel fear when they see a police officer. Athletes have a unique ability to reach those people, which is exactly why, since the days of Jack Johnson over a century ago, their platform has been policed so mercilessly.

One example is former NBA player Stephen Jackson. Captain Jack knew Floyd and bore a striking resemblance to the manhe and Floyd called each other twin. Jackson spoke out in a series of posts, in one saying, Either you side with whats right or you condone whats wrong you cant love me and not love my people.

Many others, including Kaepernick and LeBron James, shared a widely circulated photo of (now fired) Officer Derek Chauvin on one knee, in the process of killing George Floyd, counterposed with Kaepernick peacefully protesting, also of course on one knee. James also posted a story on Instagram about Floyds murder with the caption, Were hunted.

Hall of Fame WNBA player Lisa Leslie weighed in, tweeting,

If anybody that follows me is not outraged about these senseless attacks on BLACK MEN, please stop following me! If your spirit is not disturbed, please stop following me! This inflicted Pain but it will never inflict FEAR sorry, we[]re not made like that!Current Issue

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Also of note (its only of note because so few white athletes have spoken out as part of the #BlackLivesMatter struggle), J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans said in a press conference, Ive seen the video, and I think its disgusting. I think that theres no explanation. I mean, to me, it doesnt make any sense. I just dont see how a man in handcuffs on the ground, who is clearly detained and clearly saying, in distress I dont understand how that situation cant be remedied in a way that doesnt end in his death. I think that it needs to be addressed. Strongly, obviously.

Then there is Tyrone Tai Carter, a retired NFL player and Super Bowl champion who was at the front lines of the Minneapolis protests/police riot. As professor Louis Moore pointed out to me, this is a major break from the role black athletes have played in the past, when they were used to quiet down protests. Instead, there was Tai Carter saying, No justice, no peace.

Its unknown whether their anguish will break through the white bubble. We are living in highly polarized times. Income inequality has never been worse, and the powers that bemost specifically, a certain (allegedly) billionaire presidenthave ruthlessly used racism to keep people divided while the rich loot this country and continue the greatest transfer of wealth the world has ever seen without a coup or revolution. Its not just the white folks who bring automatic weapons to state capitol buildings while police yawn. Its the white people who turn a blind eye and confuse being a non-racist with being an anti-racist. I agree with the argument that it is the responsibility of white people to educate and confront other white people on their bigotry. But if athletes can move the needle a fraction toward anti-racism, that is critical work, and it should be utilized and treasured.

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The Critical Role of Athletes in Fighting White Blindness - The Nation

How can doctors diagnose and treat 425 million worldwide diabetes patients? That number keeps going up and up, projected to reach 700 million by 2045. There are millions more with undiagnosed prediabetes. Add more millions with undiagnosed hypertension. All these people are destined to lives defined by cardiovascular problems and complications that include debilitating conditions like blindness. Diabetes is swamping health care systems worldwide. Let us be clear: whatever we have been doing to fight the problem, it is not working.

But now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is offering new possibilities. Using new technologies, data science, vast quantities of medical images, and computer algorithms, it is possible to fight diseases differently. The medical model of a patient and a doctor is outdated. We need to put AI on our health care team and use analytical methods to predict problems before they occur and to help doctors and patients make better decisions.

Computer-assisted retinal analysis (CARA) is one such technology. Developed by DIAGNOS, a Montreal-based company, CARA uses retina scans to detect early warning signs of big health problems. And CARA can do it on a scale that will make a big difference in fighting the diabetes epidemics.

The retina, the back part of the eye, is the only area of the body where doctors can easily see the condition of arteries and veins without invasive procedures. Early detection of atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries) in the retinas of diabetes patients signals a warning that the same problem is occurring in coronary arteries. This is why the retina is called, the window to the heart.

Prevention is always better than cure. But this is easier said than done in many parts of the world where highly trained retinal specialists are in short supply. We are more fortunate in North America, but retinal checkups are mainly the purview of ophthalmologists focused on your eyes, not your cardiovascular system.

Type 2 diabetes has become a worldwide epidemic and an expensive problem for every health care system. Type 2 diabetes is not just a singular disease. Rather, by triggering atherosclerosis, it decreases blood supply to many parts of the body with catastrophic results. For example, longstanding diabetes increases the risk of blindness, heart attack, and kidney failure, which may require renal dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Doctors can only treat so many patients. So this problem is an example of where we can leverage technology to screen of millions of people. CARA can scan an eye in two seconds. Furthermore, it can scan hundreds of patients for hours without getting tired or making errors. We need to use AI to detect retina changes and prevent diabetes averting countless cases of blindness and other problems, improving lives, and saving dollars.

Andre Larente, president of DIAGNOS, recently remarked, CARA can now look at a patients retina, discover the presence of hypertension and predict a chance of stroke in 12 to 24 months. Given that CARA can do this across very large populations of patients, at low cost, its easy to see the appeal of this technology from a health care and economic perspective, not to mention the incentive to individual patients to reduce their risk profile.

Theres no doubt that the capacities of artificial intelligence are changing the way we can fight illness, and companies like DIAGNOS are important partners in medical practice. The key is in scaling up. CARA has accumulated a vast database of retinal photos of patients worldwide. This data can be used for predictive modeling. So the next step will be in getting this data into the hands of those who can take steps to stop the progression of illness, change conditions leading to disease, and prevent these avoidable health problems in the first place.

Dr. W. Gifford-Jones, aka Ken Walker, is a graduate of the University of Toronto and Harvard Medical School. You can reach him online at his website, docgiff.com, or via email at info@ docgiff.com.

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The Doctor Game: Artificial intelligence to help avert blindness - The Westerly Sun

As protests over the death of George Floyd have flared in cities across the US, police responded with batons, tear gas, and rubber bullets, videos show.

In many cases, it appears their targets weren't necessarily people looting and causing destruction, but rather anyone who was there, including peaceful protesters, kids, and journalists.

Linda Tirado, a journalist in Minnesota got shot with a rubber bullet to the eye, and later reported she permanently lost sight in it.

While rubber bullets are intended to be a relatively harmless crowd-control technique, they can be extremely harmful, leading to everything from fractures to death, Dr. Jose Torradas, a spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians, told Insider. But there are ways to protect yourself.

Rubber bullets are what they sound like, though sometimes they're not completely made of rubber and instead are made of another material like steel and coated in rubber, Torradas said. Law enforcement professionals use them to disperse crowds while, in theory, minimizing harm.

"They're used because of their composition and weight and how they're shaped," which allows them to lose velocity quickly, he said. That way, they shouldn't break the skin if they're fired at a far enough distance, as intended.

Rubber bullets are also meant to be fired at people's lower extremities like the thigh where they are less likely to do damage, thanks to the protective muscle and fat and distance from the face, which is most vulnerable to serious injury, Torradas said.

If used like this, rubber bullets shouldn't break the skin or leave much more than a bruise, like you're being hit with a paintball, he said.

But there's "a fine line" between a shot that leaves a minor welt and one that can be dangerous, even deadly, Torradas said. It depends on how close the victim is, how much skin is exposed, and where on the body it lands.

"If you're just firing off at close range, not really aiming for the lower limbs, you're asking for trouble," he said.

Serious injuries can include bone fractures, deep skin lacerations that can lead to serious infections, blindness, nerve damage, and even organ injury that leads to death.

A 2017 review of past research in BMJ Open looked at 1,984 people who had injuries from "kinetic impact projectiles," which includes rubber bullets. It found that 53 of them died and 300 suffered permanent disability. Of those who survived, 71% had severe injuries.

"Given their inherent inaccuracy, potential for misuse, and associated health consequences of severe injury, disability and death, KIPs do not appear to be appropriate weapons for use in crowd-control settings," the authors wrote. "There is an urgent need to establish international guidelines on the use of crowd-control weapons to prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths."

Their conclusions echo that of a 2016 study reviewing 28 records of patients who sought orthopedic treatment for rubber bullet injuries including fractures, nerve and tendon damage, and bullets lodged into deep tissue. The authors concluded that "these weapons are lethal and should hence be reclassified."

FILE - In this May 29, 2020, file photo, demonstrators march in Oakland, Calif. protesting the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man in police custody in Minneapolis. The message from protesters around the United States is that George Floyd is the latest addition to a grim roster of African Americans to be killed by police or white civilians. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File) Associated Press

One of the best way protesters can avoid serious injury from rubber bullets is to keep as far away from those firing as possible and wear thick clothing, like denim or even leather, that doesn't leave much skin exposed.

You can even layer clothes, wear protective pads made for athletes, and men would benefit from wearing an athletic cup, Torradas said.

Because the face, and specifically the eyes, are the most vulnerable to permanent injury, it's smart to wear goggles made with "ballistic grade glassware." While ski goggles might suffice, Torradas said, regular glasses will not: In fact, they'll shatter if they're hit and potentially lead to even more injuries.

If you do get struck by a bullet that deeply penetrates your skin or that you have any suspicion may have caused a fracture or left particles embedded, seek emergency care immediately. The longer you delay, the worse the outcome, Torradas said.

If the injury is a minor abrasion, generously clean it with soap and water or, even better, rubbing alcohol or Betadine. Then use a clean towel to remove any dirt, apply a layer of an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin, and wrap it in gauze, Torradas said.

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Rubber bullets can cause blindness, fractures, and organ injury. Here's what to do if you get hit. - Insider - INSIDER

Prevent Blindness to host 9th annual Focus on Eye Health National Summit on July 15 as virtual event.

CHICAGO (PRWEB) June 03, 2020

Prevent Blindness, the nations oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, will host the 9th annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit, on July 15, 2020, from 12-3 p.m. ET (a virtual exhibit hall will be open from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. ET). The event will be held as an online virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This years Summit will include a variety of presentations related to this years theme, "An Eye to the Future.

Participants are invited to view presentations from leaders in science, public health, and vision research. Attendees may also visit the virtual exhibit hall and booths of event sponsors, participate in Q&A with presenters, and gather in the event lounge to network with other participants. All are invited to follow and share on Twitter at #eyesummit.

Peter Holland, chief executive of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Summit. Holland will present on the recent World Report on Vision from the World Health Organization.

Additional presentations at the Focus on Eye Health National Summit will include:

U.S. Population and Vision Health in 2020 and Beyond

Future of Vision Treatment and Research

During the event, Prevent Blindness will formally present the 2020 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health to the Childrens Vision Rehabilitation Program (CVRP) at West Virginia University, who will also provide a presentation on their work. The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health recognizes an individual, team, or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, national, and/or international level. Additionally, the inaugural Rising Visionary Award will be presented to Araba Otoo, third-year optometry student, at The Ohio State University.

Horizon Therapeutics is serving as the Focus on Eye Health National Summit Platinum Sponsor. Current Gold sponsors include Alcon Vision, Center for Vision and Population Health at Prevent Blindness, the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, Genentech, International Retinal Research Foundation, Lighthouse Guild, and the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness.

Silver sponsors include Allergan, Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Bausch + Lomb, BrightFocus Foundation, CooperVision, Lions Clubs International, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Research to Prevent Blindness, and Vision 2020 USA. Summit sponsorship opportunities are still available.

We know that this year has brought considerable challenges to patients and public health services, said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. We encourage everyone to participate in this years Focus on Eye Health National Summit to continue to keep dialogue and education moving forward on important vision and eye health issues.

To register or for more information about the 2020 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit and sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://preventblindness.org/events/focus-on-eye-health-national-summit-2020/ or call (800) 331-2020.

About Prevent BlindnessFounded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call (800) 331-2020. Or, visit us on the Web at preventblindness.org or facebook.com/preventblindness.

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Prevent Blindness to Host Ninth Annual Focus on Eye Health National Summit as an Online Virtual Event - PR Web

As protests continue in America and beyond, we explain what to do if police target you with tear gas and what you really should NOT do.

What is tear gas?

Tear gas, formally known as a lachrymator agent or lachrymator (from the Latin lacrima, meaning "tear"), sometimes more known as mace, is a chemical weapon that causes severe eye and respiratory pain, skin irritation, bleeding, and blindness. In the eye, it stimulates the nerves of the lacrimal gland to produce tears.

If it reaches your eyes, tear gas can cause excessive tearing, burning or blurred vision, according to the CDC.

The irritant can cause a runny nose, as well as a burning sensation inside the nose. It can also cause difficulty swallowing as well as chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and a feeling of choking.

For those who are exposed to riot control agents at close proximity or in a closed-in space, there can be more long-term effects including blindness, glaucoma or respiratory failure.

What you can do:

If it's deployed, keep a level head, and make sure that you remain calm.

After removing yourself from the immediate danger, you can apply a liquid antacid and water mixture that includes is a 50/50 mixture of water and either magnesium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide.

If the first option is not available, it is recommended that you use refrigerated milk, however, this may not be accessible. However you MUST NOT pour the milk directly on to your eyes, this will cause the irritation to get worse and worse.

Another option is a mixture of water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

Baking soda is cheaper and easier to transport and store than refrigerated milk and can be mixed with water wherever you are.

As soon as you're able, it's important to wash your skin with lots of soap and water. After you've provided immediate first aid for tear gas, you should remove any article of clothing that may have tear gas on it. It's better to cut it off rather than pull it off over your head so it does not make contact with your face. You should then place your exposed clothing in a plastic bag, seal the bag and then place that bag inside another plastic bag in order to prevent others from being exposed to the harmful chemical.

How to be prepared:

Doua, the Park Avenue Christian Church pastor, recommended a list of items to prepare yourself if tear gas is deployed to break up a peaceful protest or if an event becomes violent:

- Goggles: To prevent tear gas from getting into your eyes.

- Face shield: Another protection against tear gas for your eyes, nose, mouth, skin and lungs.

- Comfortable footwear: Marches and protests involve a lot of walking, and you'll want to also be ready if you have to run.

- Bike helmets: To protect your head if objects are being thrown or someone hits you.

- An umbrella: A defence against rubber bullets.

- ID, health insurance and cash: If you need to go to the hospital, talk with police officers or have other incidental expenses.

How you can help the BLM movement:

George Floyd, a 46-year-old bouncer, was killed on Monday, May 25 by Derek Chauvin, a police officer, who pressed his knee into Mr Floyd's neck until he died while other police officers watched. Footage of the killing, taken by a bystander, showed Floyd lying face down and handcuffed, groaning for help and repeatedly saying, "please, I can't breathe," before becoming motionless.

This death and constant racism towards the black community has very rightly so angered many, many people.

We know that many of you will want to help, but what if you aren't in America and can't partake in the protest? Here is what you can do to help this movement:

Sign this "Justice for George Floyd" petition, here.

Support black creators and business owners.

Donate to the black lives matter fund, here.

Remember, we are all in this together

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What To Do If You Are Exposed To Tear Gas - Healthcare Global - Healthcare News, Magazine and Website

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --SightGlass Vision, Inc., a life sciences company focused on ending nearsightedness (myopia), today announced it has achieved Conformit Europene (CE) Markdeclaration on its first product the Company's novel eyeglasses designed to slow the progression of myopia in children.The CE Mark confirms that SightGlass Vision's Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lens products meet European Union (EU) regulatory standards, and allows the Company to commercialize its suite of DOT products across the EU, United Kingdom, and other European Economic Area countries.

The CE Mark declaration allowing European Marketing Authorization includes products containing anti-reflective and photochromic technologies, making the Company's DOT lenses the first product that has shown success in a multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial to include these options for myopia management.

"Our novel spectacle lenses designed to slow myopia progression in children have been hailed as a revolutionary innovation in the field of myopia management. The CE Mark allowing European Marketing Authorization for our suite of DOT products is an important leap forward for our Company, as we advance our mission to end myopia. We look forward to bringing to market a powerful and unique mechanism of action that we are confident will benefit children in the EU and other CE Mark geographies who live with myopia and are at risk from its vision-threatening complications," said Thomas W. Chalberg, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

The CE Mark is a certification mark in Europe that signals conformity to patient and user safety and device performance standards in the region. It is considered an essential regulatory requirement for companies intending to sell medical products in the European Economic Area.

SightGlass Vision also received ISO 13485:2016 certification of its manufacturing process, facility, and quality management system in 2019. This certification demonstrates the Company's focus on quality and its ability to provide a portfolio of DOT spectacle lenses that consistently meet both customer and applicable regulatory requirements. In addition, SightGlass Vision's quality systems meet the new EU rules for medical device manufacturers, known as Medical Devices Regulation, which is scheduled to take effect on May 26, 2021.

About MyopiaNearsightedness or myopia is a condition that occurs when the light coming into an eye does not focus on the retina, but in front of it, making things look blurry. For most people, myopia is usually a minor inconvenience and is correctable. However, myopia increases the risk of serious eye conditions such as myopic maculopathy, retinal detachment, and glaucoma, making it one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness.

Myopia has seen a dramatic increase in prevalence over the past several decades. In the early 1970's, only 25 percent of Americans were nearsighted. By the early 2000's, that number had jumped to more than 40 percent. Today, the number of nearsighted people is at epidemic proportions globally. Myopia is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in parts of Asia. Most alarming is approximately half of all young adults in the U.S. and Europe are nearsighted double the number from when their grandparents were the same age. And in China, about 80 to 90 percent of teens and young adults are myopic, up from 10 to 20 percent just 65 years ago. It is estimated that almost half of the entire world's population, or five billion people, will be nearsighted by 2050. This increase is thought to relate to lifestyle changes, including less time outdoors and more eye-straining or near work-related activities such as reading and screen time. Early intervention is key to preventing high myopia from developing.

About SightGlass Vision, Inc.SightGlass Vision, Inc. is a life sciences company focused on ending nearsightedness (myopia). Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, SightGlass is developing innovative spectacle lenses to reduce the progression of myopia in children. Based on groundbreaking research from the University of Washington, SightGlass was founded in 2016 by Professors Jay and Maureen Neitz, and Dr. James Kuchenbecker, who are world-renowned vision researchers, and Dr. Thomas Chalberg, a serial entrepreneur in the biotechnology and medical device sectors. For more information, please visit http://www.sightglassvision.com.

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SightGlass Vision Achieves CE Mark Allowing European Marketing Authorization for Novel Eyeglasses That Slow Myopia Progression in Children - Monterey...

As I wrote in todays open, in order to end racism and push for a more just and equal society, white people and non-black people of colour have to pull up. We can begin by acknowledging our mistakes and understanding that weve been shaped by institutionalised and systemic racism. And that while its certainly humiliating to admit that we can and most definitely have been racist in the past, and complacent about addressing it, that is nothing compared to what the consequences of our complacency which is that Black and Indigenous peoples lives have been lost and their opportunities taken away for GENERATIONS, literally.

Blake Lively has acknowledged this on her most recent Instagram post. There are five slides:

Were ashamed that in the past weve allowed ourselves to be uninformed by how deeply rooted systemic racism is.

We talk about our bias and our own mistakes. We look back and see so many mistakes which has led us to deeply examine who we are and what we want to become.

Youll recall, back when Blake was still running her Preserve lifestyle website, she once published a piece about the Allure of Antebellum.That was 2014. Critics of the piece (myself included) called it out for romanticising slavery. When you combine the word preserve and then allure of antebellum, its not a stretch to connect preservation of the status quo with a time before abolition. Also, she and Ryan Reynolds were married on a plantation.My read of Blakes post is that she is reflecting back on that essay and telling us that she has had to confront the grossness of all of that and learned that she had to do better, be better.

Blake, as you can imagine, presents a certain image and allure of her own, especially to white people, white women. And she is modelling for them that she has had to evolve, using her platform and taking this message right to the Amy Coopers of the world. Shes also made a donation of $200K to the NAACP. And while some may not be inclined to be generous about her generosity and self-examination (one way to improve her post would have been to straight up name her shame), its still better than silence. The fact that she says shes willing to have these conversations is only going to help.

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Blake Lively acknowledges that she's allowed herself to be uninformed about systemic racism in new Instagram p - LaineyGossip

Datuk Seri Najib Razak is pictured at the Kuala Lumpur High Court June 3, 2020. Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 Datuk Seri Najib Razak deliberately chose to not inquire the source of the RM42 million that was allegedly deposited in his bank accounts, the prosecution told the High Court during Najibs RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd trial today.

Ad hoc prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram argued that throughout the hearing, Najib did not deny knowledge of funds entering his accounts instead claiming that it was Arab donation, despite the fact that the said donations had almost dried up due to the numerous cheques issued.

He said evidence has shown that Najib continued to spend without any care even after claiming to have no knowledge of the exact amount of Arab donations entering his accounts.

Since Najib had exhausted the Arab money and returned a portion of it which he received in his bank accounts later, Sithambaram questioned how could Najib assume there was still money in his accounts and issued more cheques without being suspicious of the funds in his accounts.

The circumstances paint the clearest picture that the accused must have reasonably suspected the source of the funds but deliberately chose not to inquire about it.

Instead, the accused has claimed utter ignorance and shoved the responsibility to other persons who are either missing, wanted or dead.

It can be inferred that not only did the accused know the account balance but he also knew that the account would be credited with funds including SRC funds as the accounts were being bank-rolled as the task was assigned to Jho Low, Nik Faisal and Datuk Azlin by the accused, he said in his oral submission at the close of the defence case before High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Sithambaram was earlier submitting on the defences reply in regards to the three money-laundering charges Najib is currently charged within the case.

Drawing an inference from evidence established in court, Sithambaram said Najib himself had admitted that he tasked three individuals former principle private secretary Datuk Azlin Alias, SRC International former chief executive Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and fugitive financier Low Taek Jho or Jho Low to ensure funds were readily available in his bank accounts for him to spend.

The accused, being the bank account holder, must be vigilant and cautious of funds entering his personal bank accounts that he ultimately expended fully.

Najib cannot just direct other persons to ensure funds are well-replenished in his bank accounts for him to spend without caring about the source of the funds, he said, adding that Najibs instruction to both Low and Azlin to ensure funds are ever-present without checking the source of RM42 million is considered wilful blindness.

Earlier, Sithambaram also told the court that Najib had based his expenditures on the confirmation provided by Azlin who would tell him if he was able to issue a cheque.

The fact that the accused is only relying on the confirmation given to him on the purported available funds by Azlin will not absolve the accused from his duty to inquire the source of the funds entering his accounts, he said.

Of the seven charges he was asked to enter his defence, Najib is accused of committing three counts of criminal breach of trust over a total RM42 million of SRC International funds while entrusted with its control as the prime minister and finance minister then, and a separate charge of abusing the same positions for self-gratification of the same sum.

For the remaining three charges, he is accused of laundering RM42 million.

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SRC Trial: Prosecution insists Najib chose wilful blindness by not inquiring source of RM42m deposited into his accounts - Malay Mail

If youve ever butchered anything from a rabbit to a hog and butchered is the right word, not the bleached harvested you know there will be blood. Butchering, after all, is a bloody business.

While 95% of Americans are carnivores, its a safe bet that nearly 99.9% of them havent thought much about where their meat comes from or how it gets to them so well, clean.

Covid-19 changed that willful blindness and put Americas industrialized and exploitive meat delivery system on the front page of every newspaper because it wasnt just killing hogs, cattle and poultry. It was is also killing the people doing most of the butchering.

As of May 26, according to in-depth reporting by Leah Douglas of the Food & Environment Reporting Network, or FERN, 73 U.S. food processing workers have died since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in America. Sixty-seven of them, or nine out of 10, were meatpacker employees.

In the broader picture, reports Douglas, of the 19,785 food processing workers that tested positive for the virus, 17,893 of them, again, nine out of 10, worked in animal disassembly or meatpacking factories.

Meat industry titans know they have a terrible problem. Most are now spending mega-millions on worker facemasks and shields, workplace dividers, personal health monitoring and other long-overdue measures to protect the health and safety of its shoulder-to-shoulder workforce.

All the money, monitoring, and motivation, however, will never overcome the weakest link in todays meatpacking chain: its success rises and falls on a river of quickly trainable, overwhelmingly immigrant labor who are low-wage cogs in an international protein machine oiled mostly with blood.

And little of this is by accident. Since the early 1980s, meatpackers have used two powerful tools, industrial innovation and the lack of government oversight and, more often than not, government complicity to regain the dominating market power they enjoyed a century ago.

In fact, Exactly 100 years ago, noted Politico, May 25 the five biggest U.S. meatpackers were responsible for 82% of the beef market. After years of litigation and decades of new competition because of government intervention the top four firms controlled only 36% of cattle slaughter by 1980.

Then came the near-complete abandonment of corporate ag antitrust action by the Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, Obama and Trump administrations. When it comes to antitrust, White Houses arent white, red or blue; theyre green as in green lights.

No surprise then that now the top four beef packers again control about 85% of the U.S. (beef) market, noted Politico. The market concentration is similar for poultry and pork slaughterers.

Equally impressive is the industrys political power. For almost 30 years, the federal government has conceded to meatpackers calls for cheaper, in-house inspection regimes, the speeding up of kill lines to increase throughput, and cuts in the number of federal meat inspectors.

That power was on full display when the White House empowered Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, through the Defense Production Act, to get at-risk meatpacker workers back on the job, pandemic or not, a month ago. Today, U.S. meat plants are running at 91% capacity.

And for what?

Local farmers hurting. Definitely not for the benefit of independent hog farmers, cattle ranchers or feedlot finishers. In May, livestock industry groups forecast pandemic-fueled, 2020 hog losses at $5 billion and cattle losses at $13.5 billion.

And thats only if a second round of Covid-19 a likely possibility, warn experts doesnt slam livestock growers this winter.

Whatever happens in the market, Congress needs to reexamine meatpacker concentration after allocating some of the $3 trillion of government Covid cash to build express lanes for smaller, local, independent meatpackers to form and grow.

Congress did it for ethanol and corn farmers, and it can do it for livestock and poultry farmers. Call it what it is: job creation, rural development, smart use of taxpayer money.

Lets just stop calling it harvesting because, in fact, its a very bloody business.

Up-to-date agriculture news in your inbox!

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The bloody business of meatpacking - Farm and Dairy

From Washington to Los Angeles, the scene has become eerily mundane in the last week: The soft thud of a tear gas canister landing on pavement, followed by a billow of white smoke enveloping a throng of fleeing demonstrators.

On a scale not seen in decades, police across the United States have resorted to tear gas and other "riot control agents" to break up protests stemming from the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police.

But if the immediate effects of a tear gas blast such as choking, watering eyes and nausea are well-known, the broader impact for thousands of people may be much harder to gauge, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because tear gas damages respiratory airway linings, even healthy protesters who inhale it "are more prone to get the infection" caused by the viral disease, with African-Americans and other minorities especially vulnerable, Satya Achanta, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Duke University, said in an interview this morning. Four years ago, Achanta was co-author of a scientific overview of tear gas's effects.

"Many believe the risks of tear gas exposure are understated and that perceived risks are based on insufficient human epidemiological and mechanistic data," the authors concluded at the time.

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Those gaps remain today, Achanta said. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, says in an online fact sheet that "long-term health effects are unlikely to occur" once exposure ends and the immediate symptoms go away, the evidence is inconclusive, he said.

Tear gas is an umbrella term for a variety of compounds, with two of the most common known in shorthand as CS and CN after their chemical makeups, according to the fact sheet.

Despite the name, those compounds are solids; they work by irritating skin or other tissue.

CDC describes their effects as poisonous. While the immediate impact should quickly wear off once a victim is out of range, long-lasting exposure or a exposure to large doses, particularly in confined settings, can lead to blindness, glaucoma or immediate death because of burns to the throat and lungs, the agency says.

Under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, to which the United States is a signatory, tear gas is deemed a riot control agent that's banned as "a method of warfare," according to the fact-checking organization PolitiFact.

But if its use in military conflict is thus prohibited, the United States has no specific rules for its deployment by law enforcement or training requirements for its use against civilians, an online petition charges.

The petition, posted on the website Change.org, had drawn almost 37,000 signatures as of this morning. It calls for banning or limiting the use of such compounds.

Studies suggest that children are more vulnerable to severe injuries, the petition says, with exposed infants at risk of developing pneumonitis and needing extended hospitalization.

In a sign that the issue is becoming more politically sensitive, the U.S. Park Police yesterday disputed allegations that its officers deployed tear gas in clearing demonstrators from a square across from the White House on Monday, while acknowledging in a statement that pepper balls and smoke canisters were used (see related story).

Pepper spray, also widely used by police, comprises extracts from chili peppers.

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GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS: Could tear gas blasts lead to more cases of COVID-19? - E&E News

The United States has experienced a week of outrage following the killing of George Floyd. Protestors have turned out daily in most major cities to demand an end to police brutality and justice for Floyd and other Black Americans, including Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, who have died at the hands of racial injustice.

As crowds reach the thousands, police and other law enforcement officials have started using extreme measures of crowd control, like pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets.

Whats more, videos all over social media have documented the use of flash-bang grenades to subdue crowds. The controversial explosive has been used against protestors in Seattle, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., and other major cities. NBC News correspondent Jo Ling Kent, was actually hit by a flash-bang as she reported live from Seattle.

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But what, exactly, are flash-bang grenades and how do they work? Heres what you need to know about them and injuries they can cause.

Also known as stun grenade, a flash-bang is a non-lethal explosive device that emits an extremely loud bang and bright lights to disorient people as it goes off. They can cause temporary blindness and shifts in hearing, typically lasting a few seconds, per a paper in the American Journal of Operations Research.

There are various types of flash-bangs used for different circumstances, but the type police turn to for crowd control are aerial flash-bangs, which can fly between 20 to 30 feet into the air and advance 50 to 300 meters. There is little regulation and transparency for how these devices are tested, according to an Oregon Public Broadcasting report. Especially when used in urban areas, experts say the trajectory of a flash-bang may be unpredictable due to wind currents.

So while flash-bangs can be used in crowd control circumstances, they are controversial. In February, North Carolinas Supreme Court declared flash-bangs weapons of mass destruction, ruling that it is an explosive and incendiary weapon.

AFPGetty Images

Flash-bangs produce a stunningly loud sound, and that has the potential to cause hearing loss if it hits near you, says Ashley Larrimore, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. A flash-bang can hit around 175 decibels when it is detonated, she says. For comparison, a jet engine is about 140 decibels.

The closer you are to the detonation, the more dangerous it becomes. The sudden noise causes temporary deafness, ear ringing, and disruption of the inner ear fluid, which can cause loss of balance, Dr. Larrimore explains. If a person is in a crowd, this is unlikely to cause any permanent damage. However if the person is near it when it detonates, the noise could be enough to cause permanent hearing loss.

The devices can also cause eye pain due to the flashes of bright light that happen on impact, according to a report from the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). That light has the potential to harm the tissue of your retina (the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of your eyes), the report found.

Flash blindness can also occur, a reversible change in the state of the eye due to a sudden increase in light. During this temporary state of blindness, virtually nothing is visible except a positive or negative afterimage, the IDA report states.

There is a disproportionately high risk of injuryand even deathdue to debris generated from a flash-bang, especially within a close range, according to Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). Flash-bangs are not like traditional grenadesthey do not spray shrapnel when the pin is pulled, Dr. Larrimore says. There is no explosive in the device and the container is not designed to fragment. However, they do go off with enough force that if there are rocks or other debris nearby, that theoretically can be propelled into the air and hit bystanders causing puncture wounds to the skin, eyes, and chest.

PHR specifically breaks down what can happen after a flash-bang attack into four different injury types:

According to a 2015 ProPublica report, at least 50 people in the United States have been seriously injured, maimed, or killed by flash-bangs since 2000.

Physicians for Human Rights opposes the use of flash-bangs, noting in an online statement that they have no place in effective crowd management.

The best way to avoid injury from a flash-bang is doing your best to avoid them entirely, Dr. Larrimore says. If you are protesting or happen to be near a protest, she recommends being aware of the people around you. If the crowd becomes agitated or violent, try to leave the scene before police use crowd control measures.

While you could consider ear protection, this is likely not safe to use in a large crowd where it is important to be able to see and hear what is going on around you for your own safety, she says. If you are injured by [a flash-bang], it is important to seek medical care.

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What Is a Flash-Bang Grenade? Heres How They Work and Why Theyre Dangerous - Prevention.com

As crowds continue to gather across the country toprotest the death of George Floyd, authorities meet them with tear gas and pepper spray in attempt to prevent moreviolence.

While some protests have ended peacefully, others in cities like Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and St. Louis have beenconfronted witha line of police in riot gearfiring tear gasand projectiles into crowds protesting the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis.

In some incidents,members of the news media appeared to betargeted, by police and protesters alike. On Saturday night,Branden Hunter, a reporter for the Detroit Free Press, went to an emergency room in Detroit after police administered tear gas during a protest.

It's not the first time these "riot agents"were used by authorities to disperse crowds of protesters and it certainly wont bethe last. If youre planning to join one of theseprotests, heres what you need to know to protect yourself against tear gas and pepper spray.

Viral photos:A photo page of striking moments from the weeks protests.

What is pepper spray?Pepper spray is a lachrymatory agent, which means it stimulates the eyes to produce tears.

The main active ingredient in pepper spray is an oil known as oleoresin capsicum, the same agent that provides heat in chili peppers, according to Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician in New York City.

Pepper spray is typically dispersed into the air as an aerosol or as small particles in a liquid spray, according tothe National Capital Poison Center. Pepper sprays and mists can travel 8 to 12 feet, saidSabre, a popular brand of pepper spray. Gel sprays can travel 20% further.

The chemical irritant can cause a feeling of bubbling or boiling in your eyes, temporary blindness and eye pain. The effects can last from 30 to 45 minutes. Glatter said symptoms also may includeburning in the throat, wheezing, dry cough, gagging and difficulty speaking.

People who inhale pepper spray may develop a sudden elevation of blood pressure, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack, he added. Those with asthma also maybe at higher risk for complications.

Skin exposure can cause pain, redness, swelling and itching, according to the National Capital Poison Center.

Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, Medical Director at National Capital Poison Center, said even though pepper spray is technically a natural agent, it can still cause great harm especially to those with underlying conditions.

"Some people interpret natural as safe and thats definitely not true," she said.

Johnson-Arbor urgedprotesters who experience the effects of pepper spray for more than an hour to seek medical care.

How to treat pepper sprayGlatter saidthe most important thing to remember is not to rub your eyes if you get sprayed because it will spread the compound deeper into the eye.

Immediately blinking allows tears to help flush away some of the oils contained in the pepper spray. However, he recommendedusing baby shampoo or diluted dish-washing soap with water to remove them.

While many people are seen on television pouring milk on their face after getting pepper sprayed during protests, Glatter said that only helps reduce the burning sensation but doesn't remove any of the oil.

Johnson-Arbor said there is no scientific evidence to prove baby shampoo works against pepper spray.A 2018 studyfound no difference between baby shampoo or plain water alone.

"Water overall is the best treatment that people can use," she said.

But a simple8-ouncebottle of water won't do.Johnson-Arbor advised people beprepared with lots of water if they expect authorities to disperse riot agents during a protest.

What is tear gas?Tear gas isnt technically a gas, Glatter said. Its a powder that is heated and mixed with a liquid or solvent and released from canisters as an aerosol.

There are different types of tear gas. The two commonly used by law enforcement are 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) and chloroacetophenone (CN).

Glattersaid tear gas should be considered a nerve agent in that it doesnt just irritate cells, but also activates specific pain receptors leading to intense and burning pain on all affected areas. It can cause pain and burning in the eyes, mucous membranes, throat, lungs and skin.

Along with pain and tear production, tear gas also causes exaggerated muscle cramping in the eye and sensitivity to light that leads to eye closure, Glatter said.

Tear gas can affect every part of the body. The nosecan experience burning, nasal mucosal swellingand a running nose. Other effects include difficulty swallowing, drooling and severe burning inside the mouth and on the tongue.

People with asthma or chronic inflammatory lung disease (COPD) are most at risk for severe complications as a result of tear gas. Glatter said tear gas can cause an asthma attack or dangerous swelling in the upper airway that could lead to asphyxiation and even death.

"If you dont experience such devastating airway or respiratory effects, your skin feels like its on fire, he said.

Actual burns and blisters could form as a result. Ingestion of tear gas through the mouth can also lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

You get it not a pretty picture, Glatter said.

Johnson-Arbor strongly urges people not to pick up tear gas canisters. She's seen reports ofprotesters throwing them back at authorities, a practice whichcanbe very dangerous.

Tear gas canisters can detonate, exposing protesters to propellants, solvents and explosives. Johnson-Arbor noted reports of brain injuries in previous years due to exploding tear gas canisters.

If the canisters are about to explode, they can also be very hot and cause burn injuries if picked up.

"If a canister lands nearby, then get out of the way," she said.

How to treat tear gasThe Centers for Disease Control and Preventionrecommendedimmediately leavingthe area and getting tofresh air quickly if exposed to tear gas, or similarriot control agents.

If the tear gas was released outdoors, the agency advised seekingthe highest ground possible as the dense vapor cloud travelsclose to the ground. If exposed indoors, leave the building as soon as possible.

The CDC saidto quickly take off any clothing that may have tear gas on it. If clothing needs to be pulled over the head, like a shirt or sweater, Glatter said it must be cut off to limitexposure to the eyes or mouth.

Place all removed clothes in a plastic bag and wash any tear gas from skin as quickly as possible with soap and water. Dont use soap for your eyes.For burning eyes or blurred vision, the CDC recommends risingeyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Glatter said contact lenses should be removed with clean gloves and glasses should be washed with soap and water. Glasses can be used again, but the CDC advises against reusing the contacts, even if theyre not disposable.

While theres no approved antidote for tear gas, Glatter said theres a few home remedies that could help ease effects after exposure. He said some people use lemon juice or antacids such as Maalox water.

That said, water remains the most available and effective solvent for irrigation in the setting of any type of ocular burn, he said.

Long term effects and complications of tear gas, pepper sprayExperts saylow level agents such as pepper spray and tear gas dont usually result in permanent or long-lasting health effects, however, exposure to higher concentrations can be more harmful.

Glatter said significant damage to the corneal epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea, could lead to visual impairment. Other complications include laryngospasm, a spasm of the vocal cords, or pulmonary edema, fluid in the lungs, in people with a history of lung disease.

Cases of prolonged exposure could result in first- and second-degree burns and blistering. The CDC recommendedtreating with standard burn management techniques including use of medicated bandages.

Glatter said children as well as those with chronic lung disease, hypersensitivity syndromes and older people with heart and kidney disease are more at risk for severe outcomes of pepper spray or tear gas.

How to prepare yourself for a protestJohnson-Arbor urgedprotesters to be prepared if they anticipate authorities to disperse tear gas or use pepper spray.

Dress in long sleeves and pants so the agents can't come in contact with skin. Don't wear contact lenses to protestsas tear gas or pepper sprayparticles can get stuck between the eye and lens and cause damage.

She suggestedwearing some protective gear such as goggles. While many protesters are seen with cloth masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus, Johnson-Arbor said they won't do much against tear gas or pepper spray.

While they provide some protection, cloth masks have varying degrees of filtration, aren't tight-fittingand not medical grade. There are no studies of how pepper spray or tear gas penetrates cloth masks and most masks are open on either side.

"Overall, the masks may provide some protection but it won't be enough to avoid exposure overall," Johnson-Arbor said.

Lastly, she advisedpeople to arm themselves with enough waterto thoroughly irrigate their eyes if exposed to pepper spray or tear gas.

Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter:@AdriannaUSAT.

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Going to protest George Floyds death? Heres how to protect yourself against tear gas, pepper spray - Austin American-Statesman

Sibley, Iowa A Worthington man, who was electrocuted while working an a construction project in Sibley in 2018, has filed a negligence lawsuit against the City of Sibley.

According to documents filed in Osceola County, Victor Maldonado was part of a renovation crew that was working on a building in downtown Sibley, on September 26, 2018. During the project, Maldonado was lowering an aluminum down spout to connect to the buildings gutter, when the down spout came in contact with an electrical line that sent a current through the down spout and Maldonados body causing, according to the lawsuit, devastating electrical burn injuries, and causing Maldonado to fall off the buildings roof, about 20 feet to the alley below, causing severe injuries.

Maldonados lawsuit accuses the City of Sibley of negligence for allegedly failing to keep the electrical line a required minimum distance from the building. As a result, Maldonado asserts the City of Sibley knew, or should have known, that a serious injury would result.

Maldonados suit says he suffered severe burns, facial and cranial fractures, brain injury, loss of function in limbs, blindness in one eye and other injuries. Maldonados wife, Lidia Ochoa, who is also listed in the filing as his Guardian, is also a plaintiff in the action.

The suit asks for unspecified damages, and Maldonado has demanded a jury hear the case.

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Worthington Man Sues City Of Sibley In Connection With 2018 Electrocution & Fall - KIWARadio.com

Social media has become a battleground, central to raising awareness and resources for the #blacklivesmatter movement and protests. Videos of protests and police violence are constantly circulating and trending.

While social media platforms like Twitter are essential to raising awareness about the injustice people of color face, it's also a place where people can share their opinions. This mixture of information and emotion can be a source of anxiety and pain for some people. As a society that spends a substantial amount of time consuming media, it's important to learn how to process the emotions that come from it and know when to take a break.

If you need a break from social media, but you still want to be informed, you might want to read one of the several books circulating right now detailing the racism, systematic oppression and the plight of black people in the U.S.

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness by Michelle Alexander exposes the racial discrimination embedded into the American legal system, designed to deny African Americans their civil rights.

Another book that examines racism is White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. This book asks an age-old question: Why is it so hard for white people to talk about racism? White Fragility discusses how the media, cultural representations and other institutions contribute to the racial insulation of white people. These topics might not be stress-relieving, but they will keep you informed and educated during a media detox.

Journaling can be a good way to combat anxiety, stress, and even depression, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Pouring out your thoughts about the news and what you are seeing on social media can be a personal, impactful way to handle all that's happening. For African Americans and for those who are protesting injustice, it is important to put down all of the different emotions instead of keeping them bottled inside.

Like journaling, meditation helps to clear the mind and lower stress levels. Meditation can help you understand and heal pain, and promote a more relaxed state of mind. Apps like Headspace and Calm can help you to be more intentional about taking time to meditate.

It can be hard to manage how much you use social media because our phones are always close by. Using the Screen Time function on an iPhone or downloading a similar app allows you to limit how much time you spend on certain apps. This can help to control how much time you spend on social media like Instagram or Twitter.

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4 ways to cope with feeling overwhelmed by social media and the news - Red and Black

There is growing discontent in Hyesan following the forced mobilization of members of the Socialist Womens Union of Korea (SWUK) for construction projects, Daily NK has learned.

The district office and SWUK office in Hyesans Unchong Village was recently ordered by the government to have local residents participate in road construction, building apartments, construction work in Samjiyon, and on [unspecified] historical sites, a Ryanggang Province-based source told Daily NK on June 2. This has led to heavy complaints from women who are being forced to work on these projects everyday.

There is no getting out of the mobilizations for construction work, the source said, adding, If you are physically unwell or unable to work, you have to pay a financial penalty.

With the closure of the Sino-North Korean border due to COVID-19 and fewer sources of income than before, it has reportedly become more difficult for many women to pay out bribes to avoid forced mobilizations.

Women in Uchong Village are reportedly being asked to work on construction projects one or twice a week until their completion and everyone is having a tough time, the source said.

A WOMANS BURDEN

Complaints have also been raised by women in other parts of Hyesan who have been roped into all kinds of forced labor.

There are differences in how people are mobilized depending on the area, the source told Daily NK. In the Songbong area of Hyesan, for example, they made it mandatory for a dependent in each household to work for ten days, so even women are being forced to work.

This suggests that women are taking on the burden of working on state projects because their husbands cannot leave their regular jobs.

Many North Korean women are responsible for housework while also supporting their families by selling goods at local markets. Being forced to work on construction projects means they have less time to make money for their families.

The source explained that the complaints are focused on the governments blindness to the circumstances women are facing.

Many women are expressing their discontent, claiming that their households suffer when they are called away to work on projects for long periods of time. Some women are even avoiding state mobilizations when they can, the source said.

One major complaint is that many women rely on earning a small amount of money every day to live on and run their household, so it is impossible to make ends meet when they are called away from their families for ten days at a time to work on a construction project, the source continued.

No one is happy, since household work has to be left to the husband, children or elderly parents while the women are away, he added.

HEAVY-HANDED PUNISHMENT

North Korean authorities have adopted a heavy-handed approach to curbing open complaints against mobilizations and responding to cases where women have evaded forced labor outright.

Local district offices and the Ministry of State Security (MSS) [in Hyesan] have been investigating evasion vases and several women have been taken away by the MSS, the source said. They are forced to write down an apology, and threatened with violence or being sent to forced labor camps if they refuse.

Such written apologies are typically reserved for those accused of serious national crimes; perpetrators of smaller infractions are typically asked to prepare written reflections on their mistakes.

Daily NK understands that SWUK members were mobilized for projects in Samjiyon in July of last year and again in March of this year (both link to articles in Korean).

Please direct any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.

Read in Korean

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North Korean women in Hyesan voice discontent over forced labor - Daily NK - DailyNK

(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO Prevent Blindness, the nations oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, has announced the recipient of the 2020 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, as the Childrens Vision Rehabilitation Program (CVRP) at West Virginia University. The recipient of the inaugural Rising Visionary Award is Araba Otoo, third-year optometry student, at The Ohio State University. Both award recipients will have the opportunity to present at the Ninth Annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit, to be held as a virtual online event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health is named for Mrs. Jenny Pomeroy, who served as CEO of Prevent Blindness Georgia from 1996 until 2013, and was an advocate for championing the role of public health in vision and eye care services and programs. The annual award recognizes an individual, team, or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, national, and/or international level.

The CVRP, led by program director Rebecca Coakley, MA, CLVT, was selected by a volunteer committee for the programs innovative approach to respond to the individual needs of visually impaired children, teachers, parents, and related professionals in West Virginia. Founded in 1996, the CVRP has a three-pronged approach in meeting the needs of blind/visually impaired children by:

To help children succeed outside of the classroom, the CVRP began a program to assist in mastering skills in relation to independent living, communication, organization, self-help, socialization, and self-advocacy. Last year, the CVRP held four events for visually-impaired students: adventure camp, summer day camp, technology camp, and an orientation and mobility weekend trip to New York City. The CVRP and its low vision services continue to serve as a model for programs both nationally and internationally, including countries such as Canada and Egypt.

Araba Otoo, a third-year optometry student at The Ohio State University, was selected as the first recipient of the Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award. The award recognizes an optometry student or resident, ophthalmology resident, or other health care professional student or resident in the United States who has the best essay based on a question related to the 2020 Focus on Eye Health National Summit theme, An Eye to the Future. Otoos essay featured ideas on public education and awareness tactics to create the most impactful change to improve the future outlook of vision and eye health.

By working together, and learning from the successful efforts of those who are making a significant impact on the vision and eye health in their communities, we can help to expand those efforts across the country, said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. We not only congratulate the CVRP team on their receipt of the 2020 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, but thank them for their outstanding work. We look forward to Ms. Araba Otoos impact as she continues her career providing sight-saving services.

For more information on the Prevent Blindness Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, please visit here. Information on the Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award may be found here. Or, contact Nita Sinha, director of Public Health, at (800) 331-2020 or [emailprotected].

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Prevent Blindness Announces Recipients of 2020 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, and Rising Visionary Award -...

An acquaintance of Lindsay McMichael says she would use her dads position in the DAs office for personal gain.

We are learning more about the sister of Ahmaud Arberys accused killer.

The Sun, a UK-based tabloid newspaper reported last week that Lindsay McMichael posted a picture of Arberys body on Snapchat the day he was killed.

Lindsay McMichaels brother, Travis McMichael, and father, Greg McMichael are charged with felony murder in the case.

Lindsay McMichael reportedly told the tabloid she posted the picture because shes a true crime fan.

Jennifer Smith is an acquaintance of Lindsay McMichael.

Smith says she was disgusted when learning the graphic photograph was posted on Snapchat.

She gave an interview with the Sun saying shes a true crime fan, thats why she did it. And I find it so lacking of empathy, Smith said.

Smith met Lindsay McMichael at a mutual friends baby shower. Smith also graduated from Brunswick High School the same year as Travis McMichael, Arberys accused killer.

In 2012, Smith and Lindsay McMichael were in a driver education class together.

She never took the class seriously, she made a joke of it and took it so lightly, Smith added.

Smith also said Lindsay McMichael claimed she could use her dads position as an investigator in the Brunswick District Attorneys Office for personal gain.

"She would often tout that, because her dad knows somebody that's why I didn't get in trouble," Smith said.

First Coast News has tried reaching out to the McMichaels for comment.

Lindsay McMichael told The Sun that posting a picture of Arberys body was poor judgment.

Smith thinks the shooting and the actions of the McMichael family are unacceptable.

Theres no reason to use a gun to make a citizens arrest, Smith believes.

Smith says she wanted to speak on the matter because of who Travis [McMichael] was growing up with him in high school and Lindsay McMichaels complete lack of insight to her wrongdoings in my tenure of knowing her.

She says she knew Travis McMichael through mutual friends but had no direct connection with him.

Attorneys for Greg and Travis McMichael have said that not all facts of the case have come to light and that their clients are innocent.

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Claim: Lindsay McMichaels post of Ahmaud Arberys body shows 'blindness to empathy and humanity' - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX

Scientists have claimed a bionic eye could be here in just five years.

It is the second breakthrough in the medical fight to beat blindness announced in the past month.

The worlds first 3D artificial eyeball creates images using tiny sensors that mimic light-detecting cells found in a human eye.

And it could even be capable of sharper vision than the real thing, say the scientists behind it.

Professor Zhiyong Fan, from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said: Our biomimetic eye has a size comparable to a human eye a bit more than 2cm in diameter. It can be used for visual prosthesis to help the blind or those visually impaired.

It can lead to a bionic eye.

News of the device comes after US scientists found they could restore vision by using a device that sends images from a camera straight into the brain.

Most adults lose their sight due to damage to the eyes or optic nerve. Researchers now think implanted electrodes can be stimulated to trace out shapes on the surface of the brain.

That would allow blind people to see again.

Previous attempts to stimulate the visual cortex have been far less successful.

Professor Michael Beauchamp, who is working on the study at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, said the next step would be to work with brain engineers to increase the number of electrodes used and make better images possible.

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World's first 'bionic eyeball' that could help beat blindness could be in use by 2025 - Daily Star